At the beginning of 2025, the African Jesuit AIDS Network (AJAN) continued with the roll out of the AJAN Youth for Youth: Pilgrims of Hope 2025 (AJAN Y4YP 2025) program, a vibrant youth-led initiative calling on young people across Africa to become beacons of hope within their communities. This transformative journey is grounded in the Jesuits’ Universal Apostolic Preferences (UAPs), particularly the third and fourth: Journeying with Youth—accompanying young people in building a hope-filled future and Caring for Our Common Home—collaborating for the protection and renewal of God’s creation.

True to this spirit, young people and youths from Centre Espérance Loyola in Lomé, Togo, stepped forward to lead a bold and inspiring environmental action. From June 23 to 30, 2025, around 30 dynamic youth from the Loyola Social Centers (CCL-CEL) participated in a large-scale reforestation drive, planting 1,750 trees in critical peri-urban zones such as the Demakpoe Primary School, the sacred forests of Demakpoe and Anonkui, MTK High School, and the surroundings of the Jesuit community and the Centres Sociaux Loyola (CSL).

This initiative responds to the escalating environmental crisis in Togo’s Maritime region, where communities are increasingly affected by flooding, erosion, and soil degradation—pressing challenges driven by climate change. In this context, the youth-led tree-planting effort plays a crucial role in restoring ecological balance while advancing Togo’s national vision of planting one billion trees by 2030 and expanding forest cover to 26%.

Launched around Togo’s National Tree Day on June 1st, the initiative drew praise from local leaders as a timely and impactful contribution. Speaking to the youth during the event, Daniel Fombo, President of the Cantonal CCM in Agoè, remarked:

“Trees give us rain. They protect us. That’s why we are here today—to plant and to preserve them. These seedlings are now under our care, and it is our responsibility to nurture them and defend them from harm. If anyone tries to destroy them, we must speak up: ‘Hey, don’t touch that!’ We all have a duty to protect the environment. That’s what brings us together here—to safeguard this space so that it can continue to give life and shelter to all.”

With financial and strategic support from AJAN, 1,000 common forest species such as Khaya, Gmelina arborea, Acacia, and Neem. An additional 750 seedlings were donated to the youth in recognition of their innovation and dedication to their communities. Among these were Terminalia superba, Gigantea, and others. This youth-driven movement didn’t just plant trees, it sowed seeds of ownership, care, and collective responsibility for the Earth.

The youths took part in watering the newly planted seedlings to ensure their survival.

Speaking at the close of the tree-planting activity, Afi Komlan, an apprentice seamstress and participant in the initiative, shared a heartfelt reflection:

“Today, we came together to tend to the trees we planted. It was truly a pleasure for us—not just to care for the environment, but to reconnect with something deeply meaningful. Trees give us so much. They are the foundation of life. They nourish us, they feed us, and they bring freshness to our surroundings. So to everyone in Agoé-Katlipo and beyond, let’s respect the trees and take care of them. They are not just plants—they are our future.”

The reforestation events were marked by joy and hope, reflecting a deep sense of solidarity between the youth, local leaders, and the wider community. Looking ahead, the challenge remains: ensuring long-term care and monitoring of the young trees. Encouragingly, both community leaders and CSL staff have pledged their full support to accompany the youth in nurturing these green symbols of hope.

By, Ornela Emefa PAKOU

Project Officer, CSL.